Potential misconceptions about photosynthesis in elementary-level instructional YouTube videos

Abstract

This research paper evaluates whether elementary-level instructional YouTube videos on photosynthesis are a fertile instructional medium in spreading potential misconceptions. After identifying from previous literature four of the most common misconceptions that elementary learners tend to form about photosynthesis, a qualitative multimodal approach was used to analyze the videos. A sample of ten videos was selected based on the following criteria: the most viewed short YouTube videos (under 4 minutes) on photosynthesis for elementary-level learners. The study investigated erroneous graphic, auditory, and textual cues that might cause the viewer to form either a misconception directly related to the concept of photosynthesis, or one that might hinder its understanding. Although the study’s sample is narrow, its findings shed light on some remarkable patterns. In total, nine misconceptions grouped into seven conceptual categories are evoked throughout the ten videos, a third of which belongs to the category defining photosynthesis as an inverse respiration. Two thirds of the misconceptions are evoked by the first most viewed half of the videos, and all nine are suggested through at least one auditory cue. Only three videos do not suggest any misconception. Two of those are experimental videos that solely film an experimental process and include minimal content cues. Hence, it is clearly shown that YouTube videos are substantially spreading potential misconceptions about photosynthesis among elementary-level learners, especially through auditory content cues. Considering that it might not be practical for YouTube to conduct extensive reviewing of all academic content being shared on its platform, video content creators are urged to do so themselves, and so are educators when choosing appropriate material for instruction. Furthermore, future studies can replicate the methods of this research on a wider sample of videos including a wider duration range for more accurate and conclusive results.